Signal system.



v PATENTED OCT. l5, 1907. J. A. GEHRUNG. SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLIoATIoN FILED FEB. 1s, 19o?.

@IH-Ffm" wNN . Tovallwhom it may concern:

,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. f

JULrErY A, GEHRUNG, `or NEW Yoan, n. `Y.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 15,1907.

Application sied mamy. i5, 1907. serial rio. 357,514.

Be it known that` I, JULIEN A. GHRUNG, acitizen of theUnited States, residing at the city of 'New York; in the `county of New York and `State of New York,l have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Systems, of which the following is a full, clear,

Asingle division in the hands of one 4and exact description.

yMy invention relates to railroad signals, particularly whereit is desired to have-the entire traffic over a despatcher.

In my companion applicati-on, Serial No. 355,36Q, "filed February 2, 1907, I have set forth the general principles of a signal installation accomplishing the above purpose,4 in its broad aspects. AIn the .present case is set forth an installation similar t'o that of the above application, except that many of the detail feasignals onthe line at all times.

tures are modified, for the purposes of illustrating the different embodiments of the essential idea, and also to obtain certain results which are possibly not at- I tained in the first application. The present case. also includes certain features and constructions which accomplish new purposes, for which there is-no equivalent in the original case. Among these latter features are certain signals which are constantly exhibited under all circumstances, so as to produce a continuous display, corresponding to the setting of the semaphore It is an advantage to have la continuous indicationof the position of every signal on the line instead of having-the information obv tained by a merelyternporary test. having the position of every semaphore constantly iiidiated, itis v never' possible for the train despatcher to make a mistake through oversight-or forgetfulness, as he might do if hc were obliged to rely on his memory for the condition of certain signals on the line.

any particular station at the same time that the signals are being sent over their own special wire.

Aist'ill further feature of the present case lies in -a device for establishing a signal within the locomotive cab so that'the engineeris positively notified if ay signal is set against him, although fogs may wholly obscure the somaphore'arm, andthe signal light 'may have become 'extinguished instornrsVor in any way. A bell, or

equivalent'soundirrgdevce, is also rung whenever the semaphore arm is displayed, so that an audible, as Well as a visual, indication is always provided. i

With these various objects in view, the present inresplonsible train `v'ention consists in the features of construction and combination hereinafter set forth and claimed.

The drawing shows diagrammatically' the arrangement of circuits andpar'ts for the despatchens station,

and one semaphore station of a signal system embodying the principles of my invention.

In carrying out the present invention, four line Wires are used which extend along the track or railwaydivif sion to be protected, throughout the entire length thereof. Wherever it is intended tohavea semaphore station, connections with these wires are established,

and by'means of which any selected semaphore or signal can be'exhibited at will from the despatchers station, and Va return signal repeating orcheckingupthe actuations sent. -At the same time means are provided for` establishing the telephonie and telegraphic come munication from the despatcliers station to' each semaphore station, as above mentioned, and by means of which'the orders are transmitted to a train after it has' been stopped by the signals. y

Referring `to the drawing, A is the despatchers stastations extending along the railroad. Lf, L2, L3, L4,

are the line wires over which all the connections are' made. C is the central battery which can be any .source of electric current.l This battery furnishes the current for allof the line signaling-circuits.

The outgoing signals from the' dcspatchers station to any semaphore station'vpass by .the line wire L2.

tion, corresponding to the number of vsemaphore orsig-l nail stations .along the road.' Iliesei'switlies are nor'- inally `moved into the-.upward position shown, but, when it is desired to actuate anyselected*semaphore or signal, the appropriate switch is moved downward. In the drawing, the first switch No.1, orresponding to the lfirst semaphore station B, is moved downward in this way. As a resultof moving 'any selected switch downward, a circuit is completed from the-battery G, and through the'line L2. There are a number of resistance yelements R, R.2 ,`R3and R4, and vthese arein the circuit of the line L2, and having such connections with the switches l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as to be selectively cut out of' the circuit according'to which switch is actuated. In

'this way the line resistance is varied according tothe vswitch moved, For switch No. l, the maximum resistance corresponding to all of the elementsv Rf- R2, R3 and R4, is included in the line. The result of different resistances is, of course, ,to'varyv the intensity of the current 'passing from the battery C. ANow for certion, and B the first ofla series of semaphores or signal' ,85, There are switches l, 2, 3, 4, 5, at the despatchers statain particular values of current, there are provided 'magnetic devices at the various semaphore stations which are selectively actuated. A practical forni of these selective magnetic devices is fully set forth `in my companion application above referred to. In the present case I will generally refer to an apparatus of the same general class having slightly different' circuit connections. The current from the battery C passes' through wire lf, connection Z2, theA metallic part 6, oi' the switch blade 1, connection l, resistances R, R2.

`RLVRi, Wire L2, connection Zfmagnet 7` Wire l5, line wire L, connection l, and portion S, of switch blade 1, back to the battery C. ln addition to passing through the magnet 7 of semaphore station B, this current also finds a divided circuit through the magnet 9 thereof` there being a resistance 10,` however, in this second divided circuit. ,The result -is that 4both magnets 7 and 9 are energized, but the magnet 7 is energized to slightlyl greater intensity than magnet 9, by reason oi the` less resistance-of its.circuitr, Yew the degree of cnergization oi the magnets 7 and 9 depends upon the current fiow, and this in turn upon the particular switch 1, 2, 3 4, 5, which Was n1oved. The adjust ment is such that when switch is moved, the magnet 7 is energized just enough to attract its armature,but

the magnet 9 does not., so that the armatures oi the two I magnets take the relation as shown. Each armature has a clip ll'and 1'2, respectivelyfwhich are brought into contact under these circumstances, and these clips form terminals of a local circuit adapted to actuvnected a handle 17.

ate the semaphore signal. 'lfhis circuit is as follows: battery D, clips 11,12,'magnet13,wire n, lamp 14, bell 15, battery motor F, when?, back to. the battery D.

only a single` battery` may be used if desired. The

magnet 13 attracts its armature 1G, to which is con- 16 completes a new'c'ircuit through a wire m, the core of the magnet 1 3, and armature 1G', so that thereafter the semaphore motor F operates to keep the semaphore raised, whether or not the clips 11 and 12 continue in contact'. This is a desirable condition, inasmuch as when a semaphorehas once been raised to stop a train,

it is best to have the semaphore replaced under no circumstances, except by' the ,train actually stopping.

The only Way, therefore, that the? circuit of the motorv F can be broken isby an employee or the engineer or conductor of the traingetting .off and actually moving the' lever 17 away from the magnet 13 so as to break the circuit o the 'wire ym.J When the lever is moved this wayfthe semaphore againfalls, land the lamp 14 ceases to be displayed. It will thus be clearjthat When the magnetic devices 7, 9, moveithe clips 11 and 122 `into contact, that the semaphore ar'rn is raised, and -is not again broughtto'saiety except by an officer of a train,

who manually repositions the handle 17. to these various. functionsareturn signal is sent as fol-l lows'. The semaphore arm, or some part connected thereto, which need not be described, has a blade or pointer 18, which either moves past or on to the cony tacts 19 and 20 when the semaphore passes from danger to saiety position. Conversely, the finger moves overA contacts 20 and 19 when the semaphore arm passes from sanity to danger position. In the drawing the pointer -18 is on the contact 19 corresponding to a danger posi tion. A return lsignaling circuit is completed to the The movement of' the armature 1h additionv dcspatchers station asfoll'lows: from battery C, through Wire o/, magnets 21, 212-, 2l, 21, 21" and 21, in a divided circuit, line wire L, branch wireo`, Contact 19, pointer 18, Wire o, resistance o4, to ground. The other side of the battery C is grounded at 0"" so as to complete the circuit. Now all ol the magnets 21, `212, etc., are of different resistances so as to be selectively energized according to the strength of the current'. For the fee-` j b lest currents only. the lower-most magnets 21, 21`,etc.,

will be energized, but as the currents become stronger a' greater number of magnets are energized toattract their armatures, until for the current corresponding to a'gro'und circuit oi the line Wire L/ all ofthe magnets will be energized sufficiently to attract all the arniatures. The strength of' the current and therefore the particular magnets energized, depends upon'theamount ol the resistance o4 at thc semaphore stations, and it will be understood that this is different at each station and made an amount proper to energize any selected magnets. In the drawing only the. armature of the magnet 21 is shown attracted since thel 'current is of the minimum strength corresponding to the first sernaphore station w-hich has the greatest resistance'o.

The result of the nergization ofthe magnet 21, but not of 'the magnet 212, is to `bring the clips 22 and 23 of their respective armatures into Contact in a manner which will be clearly understoodl from the drawing, and from a more detailed description in my companion ap.- plication above referred to. The clips 22 and 23 form the terminals of a local circuit, including a battery H,w lamp 24 and magnet 25. The magnet 25 acts on an arfmature 27, and a branch connection-28 is made from the A battery H to the armature 27. so as to establish a circuit through the core of the magnetwand through the signal lamp 24, independently of the contacts 22, 23. Accord-4 l'1.00

ingly the signal lamp 24 is displayed and, continues to I be displayed, although lthe contacts 22 and V23 only move into contact momentarily. vThe larnp24 is a danger indication, and is preferably colored so as to show that the semaphore or signal at station 'B of the road is moved to,`danger. inasmuch 4as the magnets 212-', 213, etc., have not attracted their armatures, the lowermost larp 24 of this bank is the only one displayed under these circumstances. r If any other semaphore is subsequently moved todangerfa greater number of magnets' 216, 212, 213, will be simultaneously energized, and 4an addiv tional lamp 24-illuminated to correspond to the4 second semaphore at danger. Thus as many lamps are illuminated as there are semaphores at danger position'- All of the lamps having once been set at illuminating relation continue in this way by reason of the branch ein cuits formed by the-armatures oi the magnets 25; I

I will now consider the way in which the. semaphorgs are returned to safety and the signal lamps 24 caused to' correspondingly repeat or check-the moyements ot semaphores. It will be understood that the levers 1; l' 2', 3, 4 and-5, are merely for operating the semaphores,

and it is not intended that their position should be indication of the condition ofthe semaphore. In fact, itis necessary thatl any particular lever should b`e re.

turned before another lever is moved. rrccordinglyifv it is desired to set the first, third and fifth seniaphores of the series, the first leverwonld beV moved, and their'` returned, then the second moved and returned, and so on. The position of the levers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, would,

therefore, not correspond to the positions of the semaphore signals, but the lamps 24 would be aperfect and proper record, because of the holding devices formed by the branch circuits through .the armatures 27. intended that the levers l, 2, 3, ji and 5, shall be promptly returned after a downward movement Aso that they are all pointed upward under normal circumstances. When' the levers are all pointed upward in this way, a circuit of the line LA2 is in position for completion through the various magnets 30@ 302, 303, 3 0, 305 and `306, to the potential or ungroundcd side of the battery C. Now when any train is stopped by a semaphore signals'et against it, and the proper officer thereof lowers the semaphore signalA by moving the handle 17 in the manner already described, a circuit is completed through the line L2, and the magnets 30@ 302, etc. This circuit is .established by the point 18 moving over the contact 20.

' Atthe instant that the point makes contact at 20, a circuit is established as follows; from battery C, through the various magnets 302, ctc., line Wire L2, connection p, contactr20, point 18, wire o3, resistance o, to

ent in the different semaphore stations,and in the particular' station B it is just sufiicientto energize the magi net 30, but-not the magnet 302. The result is that a Q so local circuit of the battery HA is established, including the lamp 3l, and magnet 32. The energizationbfthe magnet 32 causes thearmatnre 27 to be attracted to the left, thereby'cutting out the signal lamp 24,-and establishing a new and similar ,circuit through the signal lamp 3l. The armature 27 is free to make this movement, since the 'magnet 25 -is not included in the circuit which was established by thearmature 27, but only in the circuit included by the engagement of the cntacts 22, 23. The armature therefore moves over to the other position of itsthrow, and establishes a circuit through the lamp 3l, which continues as long as the armature in this new relation. It is evident that the armature will lay over to one side-or the othervof its central position by gravity until a new magnetic force is applied tending toragain displace it.- Thus it will bev .31, corresponding to 'semaphore station B at the recording Idevice of the despatchers station. Similarly, when the signals at any other'semaphore station are restored to saiety, the fact isat once notified to the despatcheris office by the eXtinguishingo the corresponding red lamp and the illuminating of the appropriate white one. It is evident that the circuit of the magnetic devices 30@ 30;, etc., for the white lamps is not complete when signals are being transmitted from theY despatchers station, because they movement of any switch lever l, 2, 3, 4 or 5, opens this circuit, for examplc, at the points 33', 33. This prevents any improper safety signal being displayed by signals sent out over the line L2 from `the despatcher'sstation.

The above constitute the most essential features of the system, but irr addition Ato these there are provided It isv a number of auxiliary devices, which are important or advantageous in practice. Among-these are signal bells mentaril'y rung when a danger lamp 24 is illuminated, and-35 is momentarily rung when a safety lamp 3l is illuminated.. The two bells 34 and 35 are preferably o1' different tones, in order that the train despatcher may know by the sound what has taken place, even without looking at the signal lamps. The signal lamps thereafter furnish a record of the conditions.

A further feature ofthe invention lies in the, piovision of a circuit by-which the-locomotive engineer is seeing it. It is necessary that the engine ora car of the train be equipped with 'depending contacts or shoes forming the terminals of a circuit on the train including an alarm bell.` Many patents are issued showing such a circuit and depending brushes or shoes, and since thesefeatures do not'in themselves constitute a part of .my-inventio n,l. [have not deemed it necessary to show them.l Along the track 36 are a couple of contact'platcs 37, 38, with which the depending shoes or brushes on the train are adapted to contact in passing. These contact plates 37 and 33 are connected by wires q/ and q' vwith the circuit of the batteries D and E, iorming a divided circuit therefrom, so that the contact plates 37 and 38 are charged to a difference of electric potential .at the same time that the semaphore is rais( d to danger. Thus the bell or alarm devices on the train arerung'at the saine time that the semaphore signal is raised and the gong G rung adjacent-to the track. X indicates a train stop also operated to prevent a signal at'dangcr being passed.

I will now describe the telegraph and telephone sets by which the actual communication is had from the despatchers station to the officers of the train. All ol' the telegraphic and telephonic communication is had over-an entirely separate line, wire L41 Atthe dcerator K, telegraph-key M, telegraph relay N, and a telephone set O, including a transmitter and a receiver' and the usual signal bell. There are similar devices I,

. K', M?, N and O, at the semaphore station B, and also at the other semaphorestations. P and P denote switches respectively at the despatchers station and at the semaphore station Bt and these switches are nor- `mally in the open circuited relation shownr Who-u on to certain contacts as follows: When despatcher A wishes toitalkl to station B, the switch P is moved on to the second contact shown, while the switch point P is moved against the'lowermost Contact. Station A may .now ring up station l5, and by-,moving the switch point to telegraph to B, it is merely necessary to move thc switch point P to the uppermost contact, whereupon the key M will produce such variations in the current lswitch P is in its proper position on thc lower most contact. In exactly the same way v.it is vpossible for B to telephone and telegraph to station A. The switch phonie or telegraphic messages. It desired, however,

' directly notified of the signal set against him withouty spatchers station there is a battery I, a magneto gen! communication is desired, switches P and Pare moved flow as to aiect the distant relay N", supposing that they 34 and 35 at the despatchers station, ot' which 34 is mo- A P on to the upper contact, may talk to B; In order points P should under ordinary circumstances be at the y lowermost contacts capable. oi'rcceiving calls or tclcthe telephonie, and telegraphic apparatus may be entirelylcut out by moving the switch points P, P., into type having a painted arm, in `accordance with the genlso eral usage. It is obvious that theparticular nature of the signals may be oi' any desired character, either painted arms,v or lamps with shutters, or vertically moving balls, or any oi the other devices ordinarily' used for signaling vtrains'. l", therefore, usei'the term semaphore stati`on in the senseoi' a station having signaling means to stop or contrl the passage ot' a train.

ult will be noted that there are six oi' the magnetic, 21, 212, 2l, etc., and 30, 30, 30, etc., shown l rdrawing, while there are only iiveioi the switch levers 1, 23, 4, 5, shown. The extra magnetic devices are provtlcdiorthe purpose of givingan immediate indication in case of a ground or short circuit oi the line wires. It is'evident that should a short circuii occur, that a maximum current will flow, greater than the current. which is allowedvto pass through any semaphore' station. Accordingly in case the top signal lamps of thc series arc exhibited, it will show at once that there is a l'ault in either the line L on L` due to a ground or-i short. circuit.' It' the ground is not a 'perfect one due to a falling wire, the condition is also indicated atthe despair-hens station, ndt withstanding the fact that the resistance may be of any uncertain quantity. This is because a falling wire makes a very uncertain Contact with the ground, especially as it is moved pack and l'orth by -the wiiidor in ialling, and this varying and uncertain resistance will produce erratic and very unusual and irregularillumination of the various signal l'iimps 24 and 3l. In, case, therefore, that the'lamps are .illuminated in this way, the despatcher is atc once in- 'ln practice it will probably be found suil'lcient to have merely a semaphore arm. and a train stop to suit all conditions. A semaphore arm cannotlone be depcuded upon to preventaccidents, because the engisemaphore signals. Thus accidents are prevented, and

at the same time the engineer is penalized for running past the semaphore signal, because thc actuation o a liain stop always.requires the officers of the train to get' ol'i and reset it, and this fact must be made oi' record Vand brought to the attention of the road officials.

What l claim, iszi. ln a signal system, a. despatcher's station and a pluralily of semaphin'e stations. means for respectively displaying any selected signal at the semaphore stationsnand two entirely separate .sets of recording apparatus at the despatchers station for separately indicating the safety' and danger positions of eng-h semaphore signal at' all times.

L. ln :i signal system, a despatchers station and a plurality of semaphore stations. means for selectively displaying any selected signals at the semaphore stations, and

each with a separate line wire connection for continuously showing.;- the position of every semaphore signal on the line, said indicating' means being; automatically operated vhy the movement of the semaphore signals.

1n a signal system. a despatcher's station and a plurality of semaphore stations, means Vat the semaphore sta- `tions for displayingr signals selectively operated by currents of varyingl intensity from the despatchers station, means whereby currents of predetermined strength are 4caused to'tlow in the despatchers station by the operation of any particular semaphore, and means wherebya continuous record of the condition of`al-l of the semaphores of the line is-constantly displayed :it i'he despatchers station.

-rality of semaphore stations, means for selectively displayingsignals ata'ny selected semaphore stations, means whereby currents flow from the semaphore stations to the despatchers station when any semaphore signal moves ,t

wires in the .two cases, and recordings;` devices at the de- As patcher`s station actuated by saidcurrents for producing acontinuous display :it the despatchers station of the condition of all the semaphore signals.y

i.' infa 'signalsystenn a despatchers station and a plurality of semaphore stations, three line wires, means for vtransmitting currents of varyinf,Y intensity over one of said -line 'wires t'rom the despatchers station, .means at the semaphore stations selectivehvoperated hy said "signals, means for transmitting currents of varying intensity over danger, and means for transmitting currents over vthe third of said line wires when any semaphore moves to safety, `and recording devices at .the despatchers station operated b v the' currents in said second and third lin'e spatchers stat-ion. -I and ineans actuated hy currents of varying intensity from the semaphore stations for' operating,Y said recording signals to produce a continuous display of the condition of V'ali the semaphore signals.

8. In a signal system, a despatchersstation and a plurality of semaphore stations, a plurality of pivoted armatures at the despatcher's station, each,armature having two magnets` actin'g thereon,a the different armatures c`o'r-' responding: to different semaphore signals. upd means whereby one of the magnets actingon an armature is energized when a semaphore signal moies to danger and the other of said magnets energized when the semaphore signal moves to safety position.

9. In a signalsystem, a despateherfs station and a pluA rality of semaphorestations, a plurality Aof pivoted- :irmatures at the despatcher's station,'each armature havinf.,Y

` two magnets acting thereon, `the different armatures corresponding to diiferent semaphore signals, and mean-s whereby one of the magnets acting on an armature is temporarily energizedwhen a semaphore signal moves to dan ger and the other of said magnets temporarily energized when the semaphore signal moves to safety position.

10.` ln a signal system, a despatches station and a plurality of semaphore statiocins;l means for: selectively displaying signals at any selected semaphore stations, said means including a plurality of switch gevers, and acircut -tion for producing a repeat or ichecking signal at the despatchers station of the operation ofany semaphore signal. Y

'two sets ot" indicating means at the despatchers station 4, In a'signal systcmpa despatcher's station and a pludanger or safety position, .the currents' traversing separate another of said line wires when any semaphore moves to.

wiresto produce a continuous display of the'condition of ilespaitchers station and :1 plurality'rgf semaphore stations, recording signals at the declosedrwhen-said switch levers are all in their normal posi soy soi

een

11. In n signal system, a despatcher's station and a plurality of semaphore stations, two line Wires over which the signals are transmitted for connecting said stations, one of said (rires carrying signals fromthvdespacm station to the semaphore stations, and the other carrying signals from the semaphore stations to the despatchers` station, a separate line Wire, and means for transmitting telephonie and telegraphic messages over`said last Wire and one of the signal line Wires.

12. In a signal system, a despatchers station and a plurality of semaphore stations, means for selectively d isplaying signals at any selected semaphore stations, and manually operated means at the semaphore stations for restoring said signals to safety, said manually operated means producinga signal at the despatchers station showing that the semaphore has been moved to safety.

13. `1u a signal system, a despalcher's station and a plually operated means at the semaphore station for produc- 20 `ing*'signal-atthe*despatl:heisgation showing that the train has been properly stopped. ""R" *Inu 14. In a signal system, a despatchers station and a plurality of semaphore stations, means for selectively operating a train slop at any desired station, and means for 25 causing a repeat or checking signal at the despatchers station.

Inwitness whereof, I subscribe my `signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

JULlENrA. GEIIRUNG.

Witnesses: y

WALDo M. CHAPIN, Mar BIRD. 

